Most people know integration is critical, but how come it is seldom planned and done right. The integration of all packaging machinery with their conveyors is critical to produce a seamless transfer and assembly system. Regardless of common manufacturer or source of equipment or not, the integration of transfers, handling, machinery and people must result in the consistent regular flowing movement of inputs (materials and supplies), packages and cases that enter into the production process at specific points and are assembled, identified, verified, and shipped to fulfil customer needs.

This paper will outline the concept of true integration of all the elements to insure a success control and output of quality products. The need for planning, communication, organization and engineering up front is the key to success. Within integration are the traditional aspects of conveyor types, buffers and handling systems and their uses and how they are critical to most sequential production lines using discrete machines; However, conveyors and handling systems are usually the last items that are investigated along with freezing a properly designed layout and flow early in the project. Monoblock versus discrete machines will be introduced. Start up concepts will be discussed such as PAPA (Preparation, Assessment, Pre-Production and Audits) and DQ, IQ, OQ and PQ.